New Line Sends Tatum a 'Dear John'

The studio has a successful history with Sparks, having turned "The Notebook" into a sleeper success and a DVD smash. New Line is also working hard to forge ties with "Step Up" star Tatum, setting up a parkour-themed undercover cop drama for the actor.

In "Dear John," Tatum would play a soldier who falls for a conservative college student. Variety assures us that while the couple makes plans to wed, there are complications and tearjerking.

Tatum, whose 2006 included "She's the Man," "Step Up" and a respected performance in "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," has Kimberly Peirce's "Stop-Loss" and the ensemble "Battle in Seattle" on tap.